The Knights of Columbus of St Joseph, Placentia, Council 10287 select Ray and Mitzi Pongetti as "Family of the Month for October 2019. Ray and Mitzi Pongetti have been members of St. Joseph Parish since 1971, when they moved to Placentia, CA. They have been married for 48 Years and have five adult children: Paul, Ben, Tom, Greg, and Mary Beth, all of whom received their Sacraments at St. Joseph Church. Their son, Tom, and daughter-in-law, Summer, are Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Also, Summer is Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation for the parish. In addition, they have eight grandchildren and all of them received their Sacraments at St. Joseph Church. Their grandson, Luke, serves as an Altar Server.  Mitzi taught at St Joseph Elementary School for 5 years and became the Director of Religious Education. Also, Mitzi was a founding teacher of St. Junipero Serra Catholic School where she taught 2nd Grade and was the Religion Coordinator for 19 years. She currently teaches Faith Formation at St. Joseph’s for Reconciliation and Eucharistic Recipients.  Ray has been a member of the Knights of Columbus for over sixty-four years and is a Charter Member of St. Joseph Council. He is a Past Grand Knight and served as the Council’s Church Director for many years.  One of his ministries was the Monthly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  He was also involved in the St. Vincent de Paul Ministry. The Pongetti’s have served as RCIA Sponsors, Lectors, Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Ministers to the Sick. They have participated in Marriage Encounter, Cursillo, FUTURE Families and belong to a GIFT Group at St. Joseph Church.

The Knights of Columbus instituted the “Family of the Month” Program in 1978 to create a greater awareness of our many fine Catholic families. Since that time the “Family of the Month” Program has grown to be one of the Order’s most successful.  St. Joseph Council began its own Program to recognize and honor the outstanding Catholic families in our parish. At the beginning of each month, the Knights of Columbus will select a Family of the Month and present them a statue of the Holy Family to display in their homes for that month. Included in the presentation is a certificate and a prayer to the Holy Family by Pope Francis.  The Family of the Month is requested to gather together daily as a family and pray for the intentions of St. Joseph Parish.